The LeadingSmart Podcast

Welcome Back to The LeadingSmart Podcast! In this episode, Tim and Holly take you inside a real-time strategic planning process with one of their client churches. They break down what a strategic plan actually is, what it isn’t, and why so many organizations get stuck by overcomplicating the process. Drawing from decades of experience, they explain why long-term three- to five-year plans are becom...

Episode 5: Executive Team Meetings That Actually Work | Leading Smart Podcast Welcome back to Season 3 of the LeadingSmart podcast—leading in real time, where ideas spark mid-week, inspiration hits on Zoom calls, and yes… sometimes Tim is literally recording from a hotel room overlooking LAX. In this episode, Holly and Tim dive deep into one of the most misunderstood, overcomplicated, and under-di...

Tim and Holly dive into one of their favorite tools for helping leadership teams work better together: the Working Genius assessment from Patrick Lencioni and The Table Group. Here's the thing most leaders miss: your team isn't lacking intelligence, resources, or talent. The problem is you're not working together well. That's where Working Genius comes in. Unlike personality as...

Church giving not growing like it used to? You're not alone. In the 3rd episode of the LeadingSmart podcast, hosts Holly Tate and Tim Stevens sit down with generosity consultant David Whiting to unpack a 6 steps revolutionary framework for understanding and growing church generosity. David, a dear friend of Tim's for over 50 years and consultant with Generosity OS, reveals his six-level...

Gen Z Church Attendance & Young Adult Ministry: The Great Return to Church | Leading Smart Podcast S3E2 Discover why Gen Z and millennials are now the most regular churchgoers, outpacing older generations for the first time in decades. In this episode of the Leading Smart podcast, hosts Tim Stevens and Holly Tate explore groundbreaking Barna research on church attendance trends, young adult mi...

Welcome to Season 3 of The LeadingSmart Podcast! Join co-hosts Holly Tate and Tim Stevens as they tackle the real, unfiltered challenges facing church leaders today in real-time. With decades of combined experience consulting with churches across the country, Holly and Tim bring honest conversations about what's actually happening in ministry leadership right now. Season 3 dives into the hot-...

Officially launching Season 3, October 28! This season is all about leading in real-time. Tim Stevens and Holly Tate tackle the biggest leadership challenges facing executives and managers today bringing you timely leadership insights as events unfold. This season focuses on real-time leadership strategies, practical management tips, and proven frameworks for navigating rapid organizational change...

After 40 years in full-time ministry, what keeps someone from becoming bitter, burned out, or cynical? In this final episode of Season 2, Tim Stevens and Holly Tate dive deep into guarding your heart in ministry and maintaining faith for the long haul. Most ministry leaders either give up, burn out, or become resentful within their first decade of service. So how do you make it 40 years while stil...

Welcome back to Episode 11. This episode isn’t just another ministry story — it’s an honest, emotional reflection on leadership, growth, burnout, community, and soul health after decades in ministry. The Lead Team during the high-growth years at Granger Community Church reflect on the exhilaration of that season — and the parts that were sometimes soul-crushing. Together, they share candid lessons...

In this episode of LeadingSmart , host Tim Stevens —with 40 years of leadership experience—continues sharing his 40 Lessons in 40 Years . Joined by cohost Holly Tate , Tim unpacks four powerful lessons that every leader needs to hear. From learning how to “take your fun with you” in ministry, to remembering that your best ideas won’t come from behind a desk , this episode is packed with practical...

What happens when church boards don’t adapt as the church grows? Frustration, stalled momentum, and pastors ready to walk away. In this episode, Tim Stevens and Holly Tate talk about one of the most overlooked but critical topics in church leadership: board governance. Based on Tim’s 40 Lessons in 40 Years , they break down seven shifts every board needs to consider —from moving beyond doing the w...

What causes great leaders to fade—and how can you avoid it? In this episode of the LeadingSmart Podcast , Tim Stevens unpacks 40 Lessons in 40 Years of ministry and leadership, focusing on why leaders lose influence and how to stay strong by investing in the next generation. 7 practical ways to invest in younger leaders : Give them a voice at the table Give them room to try (and fail) Speak words...

Welcome to The LeadingSmart Podcast Episode 7: Why Systems Can Be the Most Pastoral Part of Leadership Most leaders think of systems as boring—but what if they’re actually one of the most pastoral things you can create? In this episode, Tim and Holly unpack why church systems, staffing strategies, and budgeting processes aren’t just logistics—they’re acts of leadership care. Drawing from 40 years...

This episode of The LeadingSmart Podcast is one of my favorites yet—because I get to sit down with all four of my kids. We talk about the good, the bad, and the funny moments of growing up in a pastor’s home—from staff parties in the backyard to the challenges of living life in the spotlight. You’ll hear their honest reflections on faith, family, and what it was like to be raised in ministry. Whet...

Join Tim Stevens, founder of LeadingSmart, and Holly Tate in this powerful episode about navigating the toughest seasons of leadership. If you've ever felt stuck in middle management, wondered how to gain influence without authority, or questioned whether your leadership efforts are making a difference - this episode is for you. Tim's raw honesty about leadership failures and the long jo...

Welcome back to Episode 4 on The LeadingSmart Podcast, Tim Stevens (founder of LeadingSmart) and Holly Tate dive deep into what might be the most crucial leadership responsibility: building the right team. After 40+ years in ministry leadership and consulting on thousands of teams, Tim reveals why getting this wrong costs organizations massive time, energy, and mission impact. The Harsh Reality: O...

Welcome back to Episode 2 of The LeadingSmart Podcast! Tim's wife, Faith shares the raw reality of 35 years of marriage while serving in ministry. From their first meeting at Bible camp to navigating four major life transitions, they reveal the struggles and victories that shaped their relationship.  Key Topics Covered:   • How they met and the "knight in shining armor" rejection st...

Welcome back to The LeadingSmart Podcast! 🎙️ In this episode, Tim Stevens and Holly Tate dive deep into one of the most crucial aspects of ministry leadership: longevity and playing the long game . After 40 years in ministry (with 20 of those at one church!), Tim shares hard-won wisdom about what it really means to build for lasting impact rather than burning out trying to "win the quarter.&q...

Welcome to Season 2 of LeadingSmart! In this special premiere episode, we're switching gears from pastoral succession to something deeply personal - Tim Stevens shares his 40-year ministry journey and the lessons he wishes he'd known starting out. What this episiode will cover: ✅ Tim's unconventional path from 18-year-old gap year to ministry leader ✅ 9 years with Life Action Mini...

In the final episode of Season 1, Holly and Tim wrap up the series on pastoral succession by tackling a topic that’s often overlooked—but critical: staffing and structure in a new season of leadership. Whether you're an executive pastor, board member, or senior leader, this episode will help you think clearly and strategically about what your team should look like after a new senior pastor st...

Join hosts Tim and Holly on the LeadingSmart podcast as they dive deep into one of the most critical aspects of pastoral succession: creating the perfect senior pastor profile. In this essential episode, discover why having a written profile is non-negotiable for successful church leadership transitions. Key Topics Covered:   • Why every church needs a detailed senior pastor profile before startin...

Who Should Be On Your Transition Team and What Do They Actually Do? In this episode of LeadingSmart, hosts Tim and Holly discuss one of the most critical components of pastoral succession - the transition team. If you're a church leader wondering how to navigate this important process, this episode is packed with practical insights you won't want to miss! What You'll Learn: - Why &q...

Welcome back to LeadingSmart Podcast! This season, hosts Tim and Holly are diving deep into pastoral succession, and in Episode 7, they tackle one of the most critical aspects: communicating the transition effectively. What You'll Learn: ✅ When to announce - the pastoral transition to your congregation   ✅ Cone of silence vs. going public - pros and cons of each approach   ✅ The four key a...

Welcome back to The LeadingSmart Podcast! Your hosts Tim and Holly tackle the topic that most people tend to avoid. Nobody wants to talk about church finances, but ignoring them during succession is a recipe for disaster. 🔑 What Tim and Holly cover: The three critical financial areas that can make or break your succession Why pastors stay too long (hint: it's often about money, not ministry)...

Welcome back to The LeadingSmart Podcast! In this episode of LeadingSmart, hosts Tim Stevens and Holly Tate tackle one of the most critical questions in pastoral succession: Should you promote from within or look externally? When that promising teaching pastor or student ministry leader seems like the perfect fit, is it really an opportunity—or are you walking into a landmine? Tim and Holly break...